Meals For The Elderly Honors 2025 Community Champions

SAN ANGELO, TX – Meals For The Elderly celebrated its 2025 Community Champions during a heartfelt kickoff event on Thursday morning at its San Angelo offices, recognizing local leaders for their dedication to supporting homebound seniors. The gathering also included a special tribute to the late Laura Lee Lewis, a past champion whose legacy was immortalized with a dedicated tile on the organization's memorial wall.

The event, held at 10 a.m., drew supporters, volunteers, and community figures to honor those who amplify the mission of Meals For The Elderly, which delivers approximately 600 nutritious meals daily to homebound seniors across Tom Green County (including San Angelo), Mertzon, Concho County, and Miles in Runnels County. Attendees were reminded to avoid the front parking lot, reserved for volunteer drivers during peak delivery hours, underscoring the organization's ongoing commitment to its core operations even amid celebrations.

Norma Dietz-Lee, Director of Meals For The Elderly, warmly welcomed the Community Champions and supporters. Board President Johnny Garza, a retired military and civil service veteran from Goodfellow Air Force Base, greeted the honorees with enthusiasm. Director of Development and Marketing Suzanna Valenzuela highlighted the profound impact of Laura Lee Lewis's sudden passing in 2023, noting how it deeply affected the organization.

"In her honor, Lewis will be memorialized for her volunteer efforts with a special tile on the organization's wall of honor," Valenzuela said.

Lewis, the former District Director for State Senator Charles Perry, was remembered as a devoted community leader and passionate advocate for local nonprofits. This year, she was named the Honorary Community Champion, celebrating her enduring legacy of service, leadership, and compassion.

Personal anecdotes added emotional depth to the tribute. Mayor Tom Thompson recalled not only Laura but also her mother, Mary, with whom he worked in the convenience store business during the mid-1990s. County Judge Lane Carter shared a fond memory of a road trip to Austin with Laura Lewis, where she purchased apricots as "road food" for the journey.

The Community Champions program, an initiative by Meals For The Elderly, recognizes local leaders who use their voice, time, and influence to support homebound seniors. Champions raise awareness, participate in meal deliveries, and bridge the organization's mission with the broader community. Guests at the event had the chance to meet the 2025 champions and learn about their contributions.

The 2025 Community Champions include:

• Laura Lee Lewis (Honorary Community Champion)
• Ashley Perales, Artist/Owner, Pop of Color
• Mason Brooks, Vice President Development, San Angelo Area Foundation
• Pete Madrid Jr., Planner, TXDOT
• Trey Holmes, Investment Advisor
• Tammy Ramos, Marketing, Drone Deploy
• Daniel Valenzuela, City Manager, City of San Angelo
• Cheryl DeCordova, District Director, State Senator Charles Perry
• Lori Wilson, District Director, State Representative Drew Darby
• Kathy Keane, Regional Director, Congressman August Pfluger TX11
• Travis Griffith, Chief of Police
• Patrick Brody, Fire Chief, San Angelo Fire Dept.
• Tom Thompson, Mayor, City of San Angelo
• Monica Ramos, Executive Director, Downtown San Angelo
• Lane Carter, County Judge, Tom Green County
• Joanna Leos Ornelas, Owner, Leos Imports
• Ethan Purcell, Multimedia Journalist, Fox West Texas
• Sarah Boyette, News Anchor/Reporter, KLST
• Gary Jenkins, Founder/Apostle/Broadcaster, Gospel America Television
• Chasity Oakes, Co-Owner, Chicken Farm Art Center
• Araceli Gutierrez, Owner/CEO, Conexion Hispana Internacional LLC
• Osvaldo Martinez, Founder, In the Spirit of Christmas
• Fred Guerrero Jr., External Affairs Manager, AEP Texas
• Rick Andrews, Operations Manager/Mornings, 94.7 KIXY-FM, Foster Communications
• Eric Sanchez, CEO, Alcohol & Drug Awareness Center for the Concho Valley
• Karen Hesse-Smith, City Council Member SMD 5
• Molly Turk, Manager of Public Affairs, Atmos Energy
• Nick Hanna, Tom Green County Sheriff
• Porsche Callum, Detective, San Angelo Police Department
• Chase Bruton, Owner-Broker at Bruton Real Estate

For over 50 years, Meals For The Elderly has provided nutritious meals and compassionate support to homebound seniors, promoting independence, dignity, and community connection. The organization encourages community involvement and invites those interested in the Community Champions program or volunteering to visit their website for more information. Meals for the Elderly keeps seniors in their home longer, rather than assisted living, by providing daily hot meals.